Islamabad: Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari announced that approximately 25 percent of consumers under the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) have been equipped with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters. This development, affecting around 1.1 to 1.2 million installations, marks a significant step towards modernizing the power sector.
According to Press Information Department, during his visit to the IESCO AMI Control Center, Minister Leghari emphasized that the use of AMI meters is instrumental in addressing overbilling by removing human intervention, thereby enhancing system transparency. These meters are equipped with a net metering facility, allowing consumers to monitor electricity usage via a mobile application and pay bills through One Link.
Leghari highlighted the monitoring of approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million meters from the AMI Control Center as evidence of the government’s commitment to a technology-driven system, aligning with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for improved consumer services. He noted that post-June, consumers would gain clearer insights into their electricity bills, with existing billing issues being addressed within this consumer segment.
The minister outlined plans for a phased expansion of this system nationwide, with an upcoming program to install over 10 million AMI meters. He stressed that digitizing single-phase meters would be prioritized to enhance consumer convenience.
During the visit, IESCO Chairman Dr. Tahir Masood and other senior officials briefed the minister on the project’s progress. They noted that the system aids in controlling electricity theft through alarms and event detection and can significantly reduce disconnection and reconnection costs. The system also supports improved decision making through data analysis, enhancing overall transparency.
Minister Leghari was shown real-time monitoring capabilities of the AMI Control Center, which tracks data such as voltage and current usage, facilitating quick fault identification and timely solutions to improve service delivery and reliability.